Apparatus for processing radionuclides

• US 6,599,484 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: CTI Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Matteo, Joseph C., Zigler, Steven S., Mangner, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handy, Dwayne K
• Application Number:
  US09/569,780
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99, 422/102, 422/104, 422/129, 422/130, 422/108, 422/109, 422/138, 436/57, 436/59, 436/804, 436/55
• US Class Current: 422/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for processing radionuclides which generally includes a reaction vessel and a block. The reaction vessel includes a test tube and a cover secured to a top portion of the test tube. The cover defines at least one opening for receiving an input tube therethrough such that raw materials, reagents, gases and products can be introduced into or removed from the test tube. The block defines a vessel receptacle, an upper temperature changing means and a lower temperature changing means. The vessel receptacle defines an upper zone and a lower zone and is configured to receive the reaction vessel therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the upper zone. Likewise, a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the lower zone. The upper temperature changing means serves to alter the temperature of gas in the upper zone space and the lower temperature changing means serve to alter the temperature of gas in said lower zone space.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing radionuclides which utilizes a reaction vessel for processing the radionuclides therein, said apparatus for processing radionuclides comprising:

a block having formed therein a vessel receptacle, an upper temperature changing means and a lower temperature changing means,

said vessel receptacle having an upper zone and a lower zone, said vessel receptacle for receiving the reaction vessel therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said upper zone and a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said lower zone,

said upper temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said upper zone space,

said lower temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said lower zone space,

said upper temperature changing means and said lower temperature changing means being independently controllable.

2. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 1 wherein

said upper temperature changing means includes an upper heating duct formed in said block, said lower temperature changing means including a lower heating duct formed in said block,

each of said upper heating duct and said lower heating duct having an inlet and an outlet for circulating a gas in the direction from said inlet to said outlet,

said vessel receptacle having an upper heating air inlet which connects said upper zone space and said upper heating duct outlet such that gas flowing from said upper heating duct outlet flows into said upper zone space, said vessel receptacle further including an upper gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said upper zone space, said vessel receptacle having a lower heating air inlet which connects said lower zone space and said lower heating duct outlet such that air flowing from said lower heating duct outlet flows into said lower zone space, said vessel receptacle further including a lower gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said lower zone space.

3. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 2 wherein each of said upper and lower heating ducts includes at least one heater rod supported therein in a manner such that an air space is defined around said heater rod, each of said heater rods emitting heat to heat up gas flowing in said air space thereby generating hot gas.

4. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 2 wherein each of said upper heating duct and said lower heating duct is comprised of two channels and a conduit, each of said channels being parallel to each other and carrying a heater rod therein, said conduit connecting said two channels, said block having four ports in communication with each of said channels for receiving a heater rod therethrough such that said heater rod extends into one of said channels, each of said ports being configured to support an end of a heater rod such that said heater rod is supported in a suspended manner such that an air space is defined around said heater rod, each of said heater rods emitting heat to heat up air flowing in said air space.

5. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 2 wherein said upper heating duct includes an upper thermocouple port proximate said upper heating duct outlet for receiving an upper thermocouple therethrough which extends into said upper zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmit the temperature information to an upper temperature controller which controls said upper temperature changing means, said lower heating duct having a lower thermocouple port proximate said lower heating duct outlet for receiving a lower thermocouple therethrough which extends into said lower zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmit the temperature information to a lower temperature controller which controls said lower temperature changing means.

6. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 1 wherein said upper temperature changing means includes a upper cooling air inlet which connects a cool air source to said upper zone space for flowing a cool gas therein, said block including an upper gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said upper zone space, said lower temperature changing means including a lower cooling air inlet defined by said vessel receptacle which connects a cool air source to said lower zone space for flowing a cool gas therein, said block including a lower gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said lower zone space.

7. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 1 wherein said vessel receptacle further includes a sensor compartment positioned below said lower zone, an infrared sensor being housed in said sensor compartment and directed upward to detect the temperature of the bottom of the reaction vessel.

8. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 7 wherein said upper zone space includes an upper thermocouple contained therein for monitoring the temperature of the gas in said upper zone space and relaying the temperature information to an upper temperature controller which controls said upper temperature changing means, said lower zone space including a lower thermocouple contained therein for monitoring the temperature of the gas in said lower zone space and relaying the temperature information to a lower temperature controller which controls said lower temperature changing means, said infrared sensor transmitting temperature information to a third temperature controller which controls said upper and lower temperature controllers thereby controlling said upper temperature changing means and said lower temperature changing means.

9. An apparatus for processing radionuclides which utilizes a reaction vessel for processing the radionuclides therein, said apparatus for processing radionuclides comprising:

a block having formed therein

a vessel receptacle having an upper zone and a lower zone, said vessel receptacle for receiving the reaction vessel therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said upper zone and a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said lower zone,

an upper temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said upper zone space, said upper temperature changing means including an upper heating duct formed in said block and an upper heating air inlet, an upper cooling air inlet and an upper gas outlet communicating with said vessel receptacle at said upper zone, said upper heating duct having an inlet and an outlet for circulating hot gas in a direction from said upper heating duct inlet to said upper heating duct outlet, said upper heating air inlet connecting said upper zone space and said upper heating duct outlet such that hot gas flowing from said upper heating duct outlet flows into said upper zone space, said upper cooling air inlet connecting an upper cool air source to said upper zone space for flowing a cool gas into said upper zone space, said upper gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said upper zone space,

a lower temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said lower zone space, said lower temperature changing means including a lower heating duct formed in said block and a lower heating air inlet, a lower cooling air inlet and a lower gas outlet communicating with said vessel receptacle at said lower zone, said lower heating duct having an inlet and an outlet for circulating hot gas in the direction from said lower heating duct inlet to said lower heating duct outlet, said lower heating air inlet connecting said lower zone space and said lower heating duct outlet such that hot gas flowing from said lower heating duct outlet flows into said lower zone space, said lower cooling air inlet connecting a lower cool air source to said lower zone space for flowing a cool gas into said lower zone space, said lower gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said lower zone space.

10. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 9 wherein each of said upper and lower heating ducts includes at least one heater rod supported therein in a manner such that an air space is defined between said at least one heater rod and an inside wall of said upper and lower heating ducts, each of said at least one heater rods emitting heat to heat up air flowing in said air space thereby generating hot gas.

11. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 9 wherein each of said upper heating duct and said lower heating duct is comprised of two channels and a conduit, each of said channels being parallel to each other and carrying a heater rod therein, said conduit connecting said two channels, said block having four ports in communication with each of said channels for receiving a heater rod therethrough such that said heater rod extends into one of said channels, each of said ports being configured to support an end of a heater rod such that said heater rod is supported in a suspended manner such that an air space is defined around said heater rod, each of said heater rods emitting heat to heat up air flowing in said air space.

12. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 9 wherein said upper heating duct has an upper thermocouple port proximate said upper heating duct outlet for receiving an upper thermocouple therethrough which extends into said upper zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmits the temperature information to an upper temperature controller to control a flow of hot gas through said upper heating duct outlet and to control a flow of cool gas from said upper cool air source, said lower heating duct having a lower thermocouple port proximate said lower heating duct outlet for receiving a lower thermocouple therethrough which extends into said lower zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmits the temperature information to a lower temperature controller to control a flow of hot gas from said lower heating duct outlet and to control a flow of cool gas from said lower cool air source.

13. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 12 wherein said vessel receptacle further includes a sensor compartment positioned below said lower zone, an infrared sensor being housed in said sensor compartment and directed upward to detect the temperature of the bottom of the reaction vessel, said infrared sensor transmitting temperature information to a third temperature controller which controls said upper and lower temperature controllers.

14. An apparatus for processing radionuclides comprising:

a reaction vessel including a test tube and a cover secured to a top portion of said test tube, said cover defining at least one opening for receiving an input tube therethrough such that raw materials, reagents, gases and products can be introduced into or removed from said test tube,

a block having formed therein

a vessel receptacle having an upper zone and a lower zone, said vessel receptacle for receiving said test tube therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the test tube and an inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said upper zone and a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the test tube and inner wall of said vessel receptacle in said lower zone,

an upper temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said upper zone space, said upper temperature changing means including an upper heating duct formed by said block and an upper heating air inlet, an upper cooling air inlet and an upper gas outlet communicating with said vessel receptacle at said upper zone, said upper heating duct having an inlet and an outlet for circulating hot gas in a direction from said upper heating duct inlet to said upper heating duct outlet, said upper heating air inlet connecting said upper zone space and said upper heating duct outlet such that hot gas flowing from said upper heating duct outlet flows into said upper zone space, said upper cooling air inlet connecting an upper cool air source to said upper zone space for flowing a cool gas into said upper zone space, said upper gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said upper zone space,

a lower temperature changing means for altering the temperature of gas in said lower zone space, said lower temperature changing means including a lower heating duct formed in said block and a lower heating air inlet, a lower cooling air inlet and a lower gas outlet communicating with said vessel receptacle at said lower zone, said lower heating duct having an inlet and an outlet for circulating hot gas in the direction from said lower heating duct inlet to said lower heating duct outlet, said lower heating air inlet connecting said lower zone space and said lower heating duct outlet such that hot gas flowing from said lower heating duct outlet flows into said lower zone space, said lower cooling air inlet connecting a lower cool air source to said lower zone space for flowing a cool gas into said lower zone space, said lower gas outlet for permitting the exit of gas flowing in said lower zone space.

15. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 14 wherein each of said upper and lower heating ducts includes at least one heater rod supported therein in a manner such that an air space is defined around said heater rod, each of said heater rods emitting heat to heat up air flowing in said air space thereby generating hot gas.

16. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 14 wherein each of said upper heating duct and said lower heating duct is comprised of two channels and a conduit, each of said channels being parallel to each other and carrying a heater rod therein, said conduit connecting said two channels, said block having four ports in communication with each of said channels for receiving a heater rod therethrough such that said heater rod extends into one of said channels, each of said ports being configured to support an end of a heater rod such that said heater rod is supported in a suspended manner such that an air space is defined around said heater rod, each of said heater rods emitting heat to heat up air flowing in said air space.

17. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 14 wherein said upper heating duct including an upper thermocouple port proximate said upper heating duct outlet for receiving an upper thermocouple therethrough which extends into said upper zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmits the temperature information to an upper temperature controller to control a flow of hot gas through said upper heating duct outlet and to control a flow of cool gas from said upper cool air source, said lower heating duct including a lower thermocouple port proximate said lower heating duct outlet for receiving a lower thermocouple therethrough which extends into said lower zone space to detect the temperature of the gas therein and transmits the temperature information to a lower temperature controller to control a flow of hot gas from said lower heating duct outlet and to control a flow of cool gas from said lower cool air source.

18. The apparatus for processing radionuclides of claim 17 wherein said vessel receptacle further includes a sensor compartment positioned below said lower zone, an infrared sensor being housed in said sensor compartment and directed upward to detect the temperature of the bottom of said test tube, said infrared sensor transmitting temperature information to a third temperature controller which controls said upper and said lower temperature controllers.

19. An apparatus for processing radionuclides which utilizes a reaction vessel for processing the radionuclides therein, said apparatus comprising:

a block having a first surface and a second surface;

a vessel receptacle formed in said block, said vessel receptacle adapted to receive a reaction vessel, said vessel receptacle having an upper zone and a lower zone, said reaction vessel in said vessel receptacle substantially isolating said upper zone from said lower zone;

a first heating duct formed in said block and connecting said first zone to a first heating duct inlet;

a first zone outlet formed in said block and connecting said first zone to said first surface of said block;

a first zone cooling inlet formed in said block and connecting said second surface of said block to said first zone;

a first heater positioned in said first heating duct, whereby a first zone temperature is controlled by forcing a first gas through said first heating duct and by forcing a second gas through said first zone cooling inlet, said first and second gases exhausting through said first zone outlet;

a second heating duct formed in said block and connecting said second zone to a second heating duct inlet;

a second zone outlet formed in said block and connecting said second zone to said first surface of said block;

a second zone cooling inlet formed in said block and connecting said second surface of said block to said second zone; and

a second heater positioned in said second heating duct, whereby a second zone temperature is controlled by forcing a third gas through said second heating duct and by forcing a fourth gas through said second zone cooling inlet, said third and fourth gases exhausting through said second zone outlet.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a sensor compartment positioned proximate an inside end of said vessel receptacle, said sensor compartment containing an infrared sensor for monitoring a reaction vessel temperature.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a temperature sensor positioned proximate a junction of said first heating duct and said first zone.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a temperature sensor positioned proximate a junction of said second heating duct and said second zone.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 further including a temperature sensor positioned proximate a junction of said first heating duct and said first zone, and a temperature sensor positioned proximate a junction of said second heating duct and said second zone.